Why are my items not automatically adding to the cart when I scan their barcode?

[androo]

The title of this thread has been edited from the original: Barcode use with Square stand.

Hi, I have:
- Square, using it for years with 100+ products. Each product has a GTIN (registered barcodes, printed on packaging for resellers) and a different SKU (alpha code for stock/webstore tracking).
- Square stand with ipad
- generic BT barcode scanner

I've seen videos showing the Square Stand with barcode scanner, and when the barcode is 'blipped' the item appears in the sale column. That's what I want.

When I barcode scan, it 'searches' in square for the item and shows it as a search result, and I then need to click on that item to add it to the sale. In the fast-paced market environment we work in I'm trying to speed things up, not add extra steps. 

So my question(s):
- am I doing something wrong? Can I make the 'blip' add straight to sale? 

- is this something that would be resolved by ditching this scanner and buying a Square-recommended one? 

Thanks heaps 🙂

[Katie_SQ · Accepted solution]

Hey @androo! 

Thanks for reaching out!

To add an item directly to the customer's cart by scanning a GTIN, you need to use a compatible barcode scanner or an iOS device with a camera connected to the Square Retail POS app or Square Point of Sale app. If your current barcode scanner is not on the list linked above, this could be why the items aren't automatically added to the cart when scanned.

You’ll also need to make sure that each GTIN is unique. Using the same GTIN for multiple item variations is not recommended, as each variation should have its own distinct GTIN.

I hope this information helps! If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. 😊

[androo]

Yes, GTIN are all unique 🙂 

OK, that's what I was windering/thinking. I didn't want to splash out for a 'compatible' scanner if it was going to do the same as the one I had.  
If the Square recommended ones will add directly to cart, I guess I'll buy one!

[Caroline4]

Hi Katie,
I just bought a Socket mobile s700 from Square. When I scan the items, it comes up but I still have to press "add to cart" on the ipad. I wish I could scan each items one after the other without having to press "add to cart" on each one. Is there a way to do this?

[LisaGrove]

I've been trying to find this answer for some time now so glad I came across this - I have a barcode scanner that scans but I have to automatically press the item once it's searched for it and add it to the cart this way - exactly as the OP has mentioned. 
I presume you would to still have to manually click on a specific colour if you had a few variants of the same product? 

[androo]

The Square-endorsed barcode scanners work perfectly, adding the item to the cart upon scan with no additional input. 

You should have a barcode for each product & variant - i.e. each size & colour has it's own code.  If you're only selling for yourself, you can generate codes to suit. If you're setting up for other retailers to stock and sell, you'll need to license barcode numbers that are then unique just to you & your products. 

[LisaGrove]

Thank-you, yes I do have different barcodes for each product/variant. So, with the right barcode scanner it will also automatically move over the correct colour/size scanned to the cart once scanned? I won't have to choose the correct colour like I currently am. Is that correct? 
My current scanner is not on their compatible list so I best buy a new one so I don't accidently miss moving a product over to the cart (which has happened a couple of times)

[androo]

If each product variable has its own barcode, and you enter that GTIN against each variable in square items, then yes that's what it will do.